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posted Jul 24, 2023

Trail Competency Framework

by The Eppley Institute for Parks and Public Lands at Indiana University

A group of nationwide trail professionals representing federal agencies, trail nonprofits, and the private sector initiated this project to develop a common trail competency framework, focusing on enhancing professionalism as well as a higher level of skill.

posted May 9, 2022

Hub for Information on Trail Users

Everything you need to know about trail counters, trail user surveys, and other information to better understand and engage your trail users.*

posted Apr 11, 2022

Impact of Trails Hub

Everything you need to know about the positive impact of trails on health, environment, economics, and more.

posted Feb 14, 2022

Trail Planning and Design Hub

Everything you need to know about trail planning and design for long lasting trails.

posted Jan 18, 2022

Shared-Use Trail Hub

Everything you need to know about planning, building, and managing shared-use trails.

posted Nov 9, 2021

Trail Accessibility Hub

Everything you need to know about planning, building, and maintaining accessible trails.

posted Sep 13, 2020

12 Resources for Building Trail Stewards

by Taylor Goodrich with American Trails

Use this library of resources, articles, and trainings to create an army of effective trail stewards.

posted Aug 5, 2019

Planning Trails With Wildlife in Mind - Wildlife and Trails Primer

by American Trails Staff

The Primer provides discussion of broad wildlife topics, plus key concepts and rules of thumb to help with trail planning and management.

posted Jun 24, 2019

Volunteer Stewardship Tools

by Taylor Goodrich with American Trails

Managing volunteers to achieve high quality trail stewardship work for land managers is not easy. Explore the tools and resources available to you that will help you start, expand or enhance your outdoor stewardship volunteer program, achieving your goals, and providing exceptional service to land managers.

posted Aug 14, 2018

Fort River Birding and Nature Trail, Massachusetts

The one-mile trail provides a chance to enjoy the natural world at Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge.

posted Aug 14, 2018

Pomeroy and Newark Rail Trail, Delaware

This designated National Recreation Trail runs 4.18 miles through northern Delaware and includes Recreational Trails Program funding.

posted Mar 13, 2018

Active Transportation and Parks and Recreation

by National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA)

A national study on Active Transportation and Parks and Recreation.

posted Jul 22, 2020

Planning and Zoning Guide for Horse Friendly Communities

Since land is saved locally, it is vital that horsemen understand the basics of planning and zoning and how this impacts horse keeping, breeding, competing and recreating, as well as equine related businesses in their communities, in order to retain access to horses and enjoy their benefits.


posted Jul 22, 2020

USFS Standard Trail Plans and Specifications

by USDA Forest Service

The Standard Trail Plans and Specifications reflect current Forest Service trail management efforts and the agency’s Trails Data Dictionary for constructed features and tasks.


posted Jul 22, 2020

Evaluation of Safety, Design, and Operation of Shared-Use Paths (Final Report)

by Federal Highway Administration

Shared paths are paved, off-road facilities designed for travel by a variety of nonmotorized users, including bicyclists, pedestrians, skaters, joggers, and others. Shared-path planners and designers face a serious challenge in determining how wide paths should be and whether the various modes of travel should be separated from each other.


posted Jul 22, 2020

Shared-Use Path Level of Service Calculator and Users Guide

by Federal Highway Administration

The purpose of this guide is to introduce practitioners and others to: 1) the findings of our study on the quality of service on trails; 2) a new analytical tool called the Shared-Use Path Level of Service (LOS) Calculator, and 3) potential implications for trail design.


posted Jul 22, 2020

2009 Report on Equestrian Access on Federal Land

by American Horse Council

A study done by the American Horse Council to gather information about trail closures or attempted trail closures on federal public lands.


posted Jul 22, 2020

Conservation Corps Project Analysis, Fall 2012

by National Park Service

The National Park Service (NPS) Park Facility Maintenance Division (PFMD) conducted a project analysis to determine how the costs of engaging a conservation corps to accomplish cyclic maintenance activities at national parks compared with the costs of using contractor or NPS crews.


posted Jul 22, 2020

National Evaluation of Youth Corps: Findings at Follow-up

by Abt Associates, Inc.

This study of youth corps used an experimental design in order to compare the experiences of youth corps members with those of similar individuals who applied to the program over the same time period (June 2006 through July 2007) but who were randomly assigned to a control group. The study team used a two stage process to create a sample for the study.


posted Jul 21, 2020

Public Lands Service Corps (PLSC) Evaluation – 2013

The purpose of the evaluation was to assess the impact of the Corps experience on participants in terms of targeted outcomes (e.g., civic engagement, leadership, etc.), their intentions to pursue additional education, and their confidence to obtain employment. Statistically significant increases were observed across all outcome measures in contrast to the general population comparison group.


posted Jul 21, 2020

Corps to Careers: How Service and Conservation Corps Help Build Tomorrow’s Workforce

by The Corps Network

When young people enroll in a Corps, they usually become a member of a crew. Each crew, consisting of about eight to twelve Corpsmembers, is led by a trained Crew Leader who acts as a mentor and teacher. At many Corps, enrollees are also paired with a counselor who helps them plan personal, career and academic goals.


posted Jul 21, 2020

Service & Conservation Corps Green Infrastructure Background

by The Corps Network

Corps have long been engaged in conservation and ecosystem management and restoration projects in urban communities and on public lands.


posted Jul 21, 2020

Veterans Service & Conservation Corps

by The Corps Network

AmeriCorps investments in Veterans Corps, and veterans national service opportunities generate positive returns for our communities, our veterans, and our nation as a whole. By supporting in-demand skills development and the completion of priority projects, AmeriCorps is critical to Veterans Corps.


posted Jul 21, 2020

Building the Future

by The Corps Network

The purpose of this guide is to acquaint state administrators and transportation agencies with the benefits of employing Corpsmembers on transportation projects, and to encourage the use of Service and Conservation Corps in state-funded trail programs.